back to houston

I am going back to Houston on March 6. This will be the end of three months on this current chemo, which is how long they were going to keep me on it before moving on to another treatment. My eosinophil levels have gone up and down the whole time i have been on this chemo, and the docs have not seen the response that they would like. So, at that point, I will be moving on to another, and possibly harsher chemo. First of all, pray that my mom and I would be able to find inexpensive transportation to/from Houston. I must be back in Knoxville the very next day (March 7) to work, so that limits when/where we can fly. Also, we have exhausted all of the money that everyone provided in my church's fund. Pray that this treatment begins to work before that return visit, and if that doesn't happen, that the new treatment would be smooth and bearable.

Thank you all for all the help and encouragement that you have been. I have been feeling pretty fine the last couple of weeks, despite the fact that my levels are going up and down. I'll take that any day. In other news, my ministry with Younglife is really exciting right now. I love the group of guys that I'm getting to know.

update

Well...Friday, my eosinophils were back up. So...we have one more month to try this chemo, then I move on to another.

I'm really excited about my ministry with Younglife right now. The weekend at camp was amazing. God is so faithful...he restored my health just in time for me to be 100% for those Freshman guys. It was such a great time. I also got to give the talk at our Club Thursday night. I was given a very clear message and our club was so great. It was so awesome to get to tell these kids that we have a God who is absolutely crazy about us.

last week

In the past week, I have been in Texas, in the Hospital, in the classroom, in Younglife club, and finally at Windy Gap (a YL camp). I have seen a lot of things. Here are a few:

A packed church mourning the death of a 16 year old boy.
A crowded gymnasium cheering a long awaited victory over a serious rival in high school basketball.
A cancer patient's wife hold his hand and smile in a hospital waiting room.
Two complete strangers argue with each other over who has the more dysfunctional family during a two hour flight.
My mom insist that she come take care of me, although I repeatedly refused, after i spent the afternoon in the hospital.
A student's eyes light up when receiving an A on a math test.
Nearly 400 high schoolers listen to someone tell them that there is a God who loves them.
While singing along with a Switchfoot, those 400 highschool's screaming "We want more than this world has to offer" and many of them not realize the truth in their words.
A room full of kids laughing to the point of tears at guys faces contorted under pantyhose.
6+ inches of snow on the mountains of Weaverville, NC at Windy Gap
A packed cabin full of guys in a late night, hilarious wrestling match.
A freshman guy say "What a great deal! Our sin for God's goodness."

the weekend

Tons of news for you all...I'm posting this on my blog too. I had an absolutely crazy week. I know...hard for you to believe. Sunday and Monday in Houston. My eosinophil count was 25 when normal is between 1 and 7. Tuesday back in Knoxville, in the ER all day with a bad case of bronchitis, but that day my eosinophil count was 1...go figure. Today they were 0.9...which is awesome. I'm feeling tons better and just in the nick of time. I am taking 10 freshman boys to Windy Gap, a Younglife camp in North Carolina this afternoon. I really feel that the Lord has annointed this trip and I am so excited to watch Him work this weekend. Pray that i would remain feeling as well as I do right now, if not better. Pray that kids would hear the Gospel loud and clear.

rough week

Well...a 16 year old Webb student, Eric Encarnacion, died in a car accident Wednesday. It has been so hard to watch so many hurting kids this week, especially at the funeral today. Please pray for his family and friends.